Storage battery



March 22, 1927. 1,622,230'l G. w. FQHLLON STORAGE BATTERY Filed Feb. l, 192,5

l l l l I l l l I x l I l I l 1 l l al 5/ a IM/wanton Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

lintermediate voltage.

UNITED 'STA TES P ATI-:NT

'oF-Fica.'-

anonce w. r'oILLoN, orl 'rannv'rowm NEW vom;v

. aromas BATTERY.

-appneman ala rebmry 1s, 1925. amai nu; 10,357'.

mined numberv of the cells may .be used in a circuit to produce a current 0f a desired A further object of this inventionis the; provision of anovel type of storage battery embodying a plurality of cells connected in series, with terminal posts connected at different intervals "in the series by means v0f l which a. varied voltage of the storage battery embodying a novel assemblage of parts.

may be used, according to the current desired for any particular purpose.

.A' further and `mportant object ofthis ing, vention is the provision of a novel construction -in storage batteries, embodying a, novel assemblage of unique cells which are relatively compact and eiiiciently constructed so thatthe same may be compactly connected in series to produce a'storage .battery having desired voltages..

A.' further object of this invention is the provision of a. novel storage battery cell Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course; of the following detailed description.

'In the accompanying drawing, forming a-" part. of this specification. and wherein simiv f lar reference characters designate corre- 'spending parts throughout the several viewii Figure 1 isla plan view ofthe improve storage battery, showing portions of the -same cut away to expose internal details.

Figure 2 is a `cross sectional view taken through the improved storage battery, showing more particularly the assemblage of de'- tails thereof..

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken through. one of the cells em-V bodied as a part of the storage battery.

Figures 4, '5 and 6 are cross' sectional views .taken substantially on their respective lines in Figure 3 of the drawing.

Figure 7 is a fragmentaryside elevation of a plurality of the storage battery plates, showing the manner in which the same are integrally formed in series and thensepa- .cells in the casing rated. whereby to facilitate the manufacture and reduce the cost thereof. I n the drawing, wherein forthe purpose of lllustraticnis-shown onl Ia preferred embodiment of the improve v storage battery,vv .the letter A may generally designate the same, which may include a casing B; plurality of=cells (1; means D connecting'the B in a novel relation; and a closure construction E.

The casing'B is preferably constructed of wood.-` Itv is preferably cylindricalin form, although the same ma desired. Inwardly o the top surface l0 of this casing -B, a plurality of cylindrical shaped pockets 11 are bored,. cir/otherwise provided, which terminate short of the'botsV tom surface 12 of the casing B, andy at their lower ends said pockets 11 are convexly arcuated, as at 13. v. l

4Referring specifically to the type of cell C, each one of the same `includes a lass or analogous receptacle portion 20, w ich is hollow-cylindrical in formation,of uniform diameter from itstop edge 2'1 to adjacent haveany other form l' the. convexly arcuatebottom 2 2; the'same providingl an electrol te' receiving compartment -23 therein. T e bottom portion 22 of'thecell provides an inner concave surface 2 4 which will be subsequently mentioned in connection with the support of the plate' and separator therein.

Eachcell G preferably includes a positive late- 25, and a ne ative plate 26; said plates ing separated y analogous insulating vseparator 27. The plates and 26 are each includinvl a". substantially rectangular shaped grid .frame 29, providing the grid opening or openings 30'therein for receiving the active material of the plate. At the analogous in formation,

means of a wood .on

upper-end of each grid frame 29 the same has an integral and bendable connecting portion'31. As-a feature of the economic production of the cells C, it 'isto be noted from Figure 7 of the drawing that a large' number of the grids or frames 29 are in lthe same plane, connectedat their edges "on lines dotted and indicated as at 31, in

cast integral,

Figure 7 of the drawing, and alongwhich dotted lines said grids or frames are to be severed. lIn this form the grids may be economically cast -or manufactured, and 5 easiliy)1 separated, doing'away with a large num er of expensive operations.

Each cell.: has a soft rubbercap Aor stopper 35, the essential feature of which is that the same is yieldable to function as here inafter mentioned, and to this end the same. may be made of materials other than rubber. It is formed to provide a lower portion 36 which is of a diameter adapted to fit inwardly of the upper open end of the receptacle 20, and includes an upper portion 37 of adiameter larger than the diameter of the lower portion 36; the diameter of the upper portion 37 preferably being the same as the external chameter of the receptacle 20.- vWith this construction the juncture of the portions 36 and 3T provides an annular shoulder 38 which rests upon the top edge 2.1. of the receptacle 20 when the cap or stopper is in place. An essential feature of each cap 35 is that the same provides a vent way 4() therethrough, eccentric of the said cap; this way 4() extending upwardly into an upwardly projectingr neck 41 or nipple; the way 40 heilig restricted at the top of the neck 41, b'y means of an annular inwardly eX- tending ange 42 which provides a minute vent duct 43 communicating with the Way 40. The neck 41 and the flange 42 are of course integral with the portions 36 and 3"( of the cap 35, and it is of particular i1nportance in connection with the construction ot' the cap 35, that the neck 41 and tiange 42 are yieldable, to permit the. dilation 'ot' the duct 43 to insert a hydrometer nozzle or a filler connection, for the purpose of insertino' and extracting fluids with respect to the cell C.

The positive and negative plates'25 and QG of each cell C are preferably suspended from the cap 35, at opposite sides of the separator 27, by having their connecting portions 31 extending upwardly through restricted ways through the said cap, with leak-proof connections; the upper ends of the portions 31 of course extending above the top surface of the cap 35, to permit the lateral bending of the same into engagement with the top surface of the said respective caps 35, as illust-rated in Figures l, 2 and 3 ot' the drawing and for the purpose of providing conductor connections for the plates 25 and 26. The plates 25 and 26 extend downwardly in parallel relation in the cell chamber 23, and between each positive and negative plate ot' each cell a separator 27, of insulating material is placed. in close abutment with the facing sides of the said plates 25 and 26: the separator 2T being su]' ported in the cell atI its lower corner "edges '45, substantially after the manner illustrated in Figure 6 ot' thedrawing; the saidse'parator 27 at its lower end' beingr sufficiently wide that the lower edge 46 thereof will be spaced upwardiy of the lower portion of the concave bottom surface' 24. providing a sediment chamber 4T. so to speak.; below the edge 46, which may receive `deposits which are well known to electrolytic cells, without liability of forn'iing a short circuit between the positive and negative plates. of the cell. 1t is to be particularly noted that the lower end of the separator 2T extends below the bottom edges 48 of the positive and negative plates, as is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing.

When the plates are assembled in the cell in the relation above described, itis to be particularly noted that the passageway 40 ,is laterally disposed with respect to the plates and the separator ot' the cell, so that a hydrometer may be inserted into thewa 40 and into the electrolytic chamber 23, wit ease, to extract or insert Huid, without liability ot' interference upon the part of the plates and' separator.

The pockets 11 are provided in any approved number in the casing B, and are of just sutiicient depth to snugly receive the cells C therein. The cap 35 plays an important part in connection with the positioning of the cell in its sockets or pockets 11, as the circumference of the portion 37 of the said cap 35 abuts in a. leak-proof connection with the, top of the pocket 11, as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, with the top surface of the cap 35 lying flush with the top surface of casing B. In this position the o vent projections 41 extend upwardly above the top surface 10 of the casing B, and after the cells have been connected as will be subsequently described, a sealing compound 5() is poured over the top surfaces ofthe cells and the top 10 of the casino- B.

In the arrangement of cells illustrated in Figure 1, there are preferably eleven electrolytic cells, although a twelfth pocket 5l is provided, similar to the pockets 11, adapted to receive a glass container, G, similar to the containers 20, which receives water or electrolyte therein, for replenishing the cells C. This container G is provided with a stopper 52 .of any approved character, and the said container G is removable from the storage battery, since the scaling wax 50 does not cover the same, as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing.

'lhe eleven cells are tonnelled in series, and for purpose of convenience have been designated (ln, Ch, C, C, C?, Cf, C, C, C, (im. and C. rlhese cells arc connected in series in the order named. in accordance with approved construction. by means of the bendable portions 3l of the plates 25 and 26, which are soldered to each other in conducting' relation, as is illustrated in Figure 1 ot' the drawing. i

In order that any approved number of the cells may be connected to provide a storage battery ofa desired voltage. the means D has been provided, which consists of a terminal post supporting ring 60 of approved insulation material, preferably hard rubber or liber, which isattachedtothe upper sur face 'at :the margin of fthe casing B, by means of screws 61 which extend yupwardly through vpassageways fin the said ring 6l),

and at their upper ends provide screw threaded shanks 62 adapted to receive ringshaped bolts `63 `which `clamp against Athe uppersurface cof the ring 60 to clamp the side corner of `the yring l60, the 'same lis beveled, as atG, facingthe top surface 10 of thecasing B, .into which the outer Inarginal'portion ot' the sealing wax 50 tlows,-in order -to 'provide a leak-prootl connection with the sealing ringgand to cover the terminal connections of the cells with the screw threaded bolts or serewsGl, which in reality are 'the terminal posts for the storage battery, vas will subsequently appear.

The sealing wax is Hovved over the top of the battery casing B, for uniform depth only suflicient `to cover the connections between thecells, and the same does not cover the upper portions of the yieldable nipples or projections 410m the cap 35, so that the ducts t3 `are open to the atmosphere above the sealing material 50, whereby electrolyte, water, or other `liquid may be injected or ejected with respect to `the cells.

It is preferred to provide a closure ar- `rangen'ient for the storage battery, which preferably consists of a spacing and sup; porting member 70, which is secured centrally of the casing B, in. upwardly projecting relation therefron'i, by `means of the screw member 7 0, the upper portion of this member 7() extending. of course., above the top surface of the sealing material 5t), and above the top surface of the stopper nipples 41. This screw member at its upper end providesa. screw threaded shank 73, which is adapted to receive thereover a closure 74,

' of insulatin, T material. provided with acentral opening to receive said shank 73so that the screw threaded shank 73 exteriorly projecting from the closure 74 may receive a main lclamping thumb nut 76. by means ot' which to rigidly position the closure member 74 upon `the storage battery, in the position mentioned. The closure member 7l is of sufficient diameter that the saine at. its .outer end engages the inside periphery of the ring 60. with the top surface of the closure 74 lying flush with the `top surface of the ring (30, as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. In vthis position the closure .74 is spaced above the sealing material 5() and the tops of the nipples 41, and it is provided with a. plurality of vent openings 77 therein, through which gases may vent from the yspace between the closure 7l and tthe seal- {mganaterial 50; said gasesot course passing from the-cells through the ducts 43, as can well be understood. The closure 74 at its marginal portions may engage the ring 6() with a leak-proof connection, if desired.

ln the specific form of storage battery shown itis preferred `to provide eight' of the terminal posts 61, although more or `less maybe provided, depending upon the num- `ber of cells of the storage battery, and the arrangement in which they are to be 'connected in series. In order to more clearly vdesignate the nature of `the terminal connections, they have been'conveniently numbered 8T), S1. 8215,84, S5, 86 and 87.

The terminal posts 61. upon which the nutsSO and 81 are provided are connected by means of suitable connections to the positive and negative plates of the single cell C, so that a circuit. connected or shuuted across the binder nuts 80 and 81 has a cur? rent flowing therein equivalent to the voltage of the cell Cd, which in the instance indicated is 2'1/2 volts, as designated by the delineation 90 on the' top surface of the ring 60, and as is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. In like manner theY other terminal posts 61 of the storage battery are connected in any approved manner to the cell connections, and 'as is illustrated in Figure l of the drawing. The terminal post ot the nut 82 is connected by a suitable conductor strip 91 to the negative post of the cell Cc, that a circuit-connected across the terminal nuts 8() and 82 will have. the combined voltage of the three cells C, C and C flowing therein, equivalent to approximately (3.2 volts, as may be indicated by suitable delineations 92 on the ring G0. The terminal post of the nut 83 may be like- .wise connected in similar manner to the negative plate of the cell C, so that ay circuit connected across the terminals St) and 83 will have tive otthe cells connected therein, capable of producing a voltage of 10.3 volts, as is'indicated on the ring G0. 'lhe terminal post of the nut Sat is connected `to the negative plate of the cell Cf, and a circuit connected across the terminal mits 8() and 84 has a voltage of 12.3 volts flowing therein. as can readily he understood. The post nut 85 in like manner is connected to the negative terminal of the cell (lh, so that it can be seen that eight of the cells are connected between the terminals SO and 85, for producing a voltage of 16.4 volts. The post of the nut 86 is connected to the negative' terminal of the cell Ck, and the cells between the terminals 8O and 86 have a voltage of volts. The last terminal post which receives the nut 87 is connected lto the terminal plate of the last cell C", i

the combined -voltage of the storage. battery cells will flow in a circuit shunted across these terminals,'a s can readily be understood.

The application of the improved battery A, from the foregoing description will be number of cells may be connected in series,

embodies a novel cell construction, and

as is readily' apparent, and the utility of the improved storage battery A will be readily apparent to anyone skilled in the art to which this invention relates. In addition to this feature, the improved storage battery mcludes a novel and compact assemblage of parts. The cells may be readily reached for supplying the same with water, andother features of importance have 'been disclosed. By providing the upper portion 37 of each cap 35, of a sufficient diameter the same engages` the upper portion of its pocket 11, preventing the sealing material from owing to the glass o? the receptacle.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and de- -scribed, without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

I'claim: v 1. In a storage battery the combination of a casing providing a plurality of pockets therein, cells 'for said pockets each including'positive and negative plates and including a dilatable projection having a vent duct therein which may be expanded upon insertion of a proper instrument, said cells when insertedv in their pockets having said dilatable projections extending upwardly above` the top-surface of said casing, sealing material upon the top of said casing covering said cells below said dilatable projections and whereby the vent ducts are extended.

above said sealing material, means connectmg the positive and negative plates of the cells so that the latter are in series, and

terminal post means f or thestorage battery.

2..In a storage'battery the 'combination of a casing providing a plurality of pockets thetop surface of said casing, sealing matetherein, cells for said pockets each including positive and negative plates and including adilatable. project-ion having a vent ductv therein 'which may be expanded upon insertion of a. proper instrument, said cells when vinserted in their pockets having said dilatable projections extending upwardly above rial' uponthe top ofsaid casing covering 5' said cells. below said dilatable projections and whereby the vent ducts are extended -tol utilize a desired number4 of the cells in series to produce a current of a desired voltage- 3. A storage battery comprising a casing, cells in the casing includi-ng dilatable nipples provided with vent ducts upwardly therein, sealing material sealing the cells in the casing with the nipples projecting above the sealingmaterial, means connecting the cells in series, a binder post supported member connected with the casing and including a plurality of binder posts connected with said-cells, and closure means carried by the casing having vent ducts therein and disposed in spaced relation above said nipples and said sealing material.I l

4. A storage battery comprising a casing having a `plurality of pockets therein, cells connected .in series disposed within said pockets, a marginal member supported upwardly by the casing.,rk and providing-an open` ing therein, sealing materlal disposed in said opening over the top of said casing and said. cells, each of said cells having a dilatable projection with al vent duct extending up. wardly through the sealin material, binder posts carried by said mem er, and a closure for connection to said casing above said sealing material and cells having Vent openings therein, cellsfor disposition in said pockets including yieldahle Stoppers adapted to engage at the upper ends of said pockets in a leak-proof relation, each of said stop ers providing a vent duct therethrough, sea ing material over the-top of said cells and casing having the vent ducts extending therethrough to the atmosphere, a marginal member supported by the casing, means connecting said cells iny series, binder posts sup ported by the marginalv member connected with said cells in the series at the ends thereof and intermediate the ends thereof,a closure member providing vent ducts therein, and means supporting theclosurevmember in detachable relation upon said casing above the sealing material.

6. In a storage battery the combination of a 'casing having a plurality of pockets opening 'on the top surface thereof, a plurality casing covering the Stoppers of said cells with the exception of .said reduced projections which extend upwardly `through the 'sealing composition and are open to the at'- mosphere above said sealing composition.

7; In a storage battery the combination of a casing, a plurality of' cells supported in the casing, an annular insulation ring mounted on the top of said casing, means connecting said cells 1n ser1esand .a plurallty of terminals connected with the last mentioned means and mounted on saidannular insulation rin for connecting Vthe cellsl in varying num `ers to produce various voltages.

8. In a storage battery the combination of a casing having a plurality of'vcrtically eX t tendinffpockets opening on the top surface Casing, each of said Stoppers thereo a plurality of cells adapted to individually lit in said pockets'including a re-` ceptacle and a stopper in the top thereof, the

vlatter of` which at its top is adapted to lie flush with lthe top surface of the casing when the respective cells are in the lpockets of the iaving an upwardly .extending dilatable nipple with a duct therethrough, said nipples being reduced upon the Stoppers, a sealing composition on the top surface of the casing coverl ing said stoppers and upwardly through which the dilatable nipples extend to project upwardly of the top surface of said sealing composition, an annular insulating ring mounted on the top of the casin surrounding said'sealing composition an projecting above the top surface of said sealing compospaced relation therewith, said closure at its f outer edges being inv internal engagement with the internal periphery of the annular insulation ring-above mentioned.

GEORGE w.`PoILLoN. 

